Fracture securing apparatus



Aug, 4, 1943 H. A. JOHNSTON 2,327,434

FRACTURE SECURING APPARATUS Filed May 7, 1943 IN VENTOR. HA J0HN5T0N Patented Aug. 24, 1943 i-JNl'iED STATES rarest OFFICE 2,327,434 i ano'rnnn snouame amen-arcs Herbert A. Johnston, Anaheim, Calif. Application May '7, 1943, Serial No. 485,992

9 Claims. v(c1. 12s 92) This invention relates to novel fracture securi ig apparatus and to a novel method for the fixation of fractures.

The general object of the inventionis to provide a novel mechanical means for securing together fractured bones, particularly the neck of the femur.

Another object of the invention is to, provide a novel method of securing together fractured bones. V j 7 Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method. to retain a fracture securing member within a fractured bone.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel fracture nail including novel means to prevent movement of the nail when the latter is in place.

Other and further important objects ofthe invention willbe apparent from the disclosures in the specification in the appendedclaims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a nail embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the nail;

Fig. 3 isa front View of the nail;

Fig. 4 is a rear view;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5, Fi 2; V

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the key;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the key;

Fig.6 is a sectional view taken on line 3-8, Fi '7; t

Fig. 9 is a section through a portion of a fractured bone and adjoining flesh and shows the hip bone securing means in position with the key partially inserted;

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9 showing the key fully inserted, and

Fig. 11 is an illustration of an X-ray film showing the fracture securing apparatus in position to fix a fracture of the hip bone.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a securing device which is indicated generally at it. As shown, the device includes a cylindrical head portion H from which a body portion ll extends. The body portion H has a pair of downwardly and outwardly directed ribs I2 and It. The intermediate portion of the body includes a notch l4 and at its front end the body has arshort rib !5 similar to the ribs 12 and i3.

Beginning at and extending through the head and along the body I provide a slot It. This slot I6 intersects a cylindrical axial bore 11, which ex- V of which has a bulbous head 23 (see Fig. 8).

tends throughout the length of the body. The forward end of the slot it passes to one side of the inner end of the short rib Iii. The ribs or flanges i2, i3 and i5 are sharpened at the edges and outer ends as at E8 to facilitatee asy entranceof the device into a bone and the inner end of the rib l5 may be bevelled as at H! to facilitate withdrawal if desired. At its inner end the slot deviates to one side, as shown at 20.

Referring now to'Fig. 6, I show a key which is indicated generally at 2!. The key includes a substantially fiat body portion 22 the lower edge One end of the key 2! has a shear line 24 which extends inwardly some distance to form a bead or rod and tongue 2% which is sharpened as at 23. To facilitate removal of the key H from the apparatus I provide a hole 28 through which a wire'or other means ma be inserted to aid in the withdrawal. 7

My device is particularly adapted for use in securing a fractured hip bone and is preferably employed in the following manner.

The position which the securing member is to assume will be determined by X-ray or other means and the location for the point of insertion suitably determined and indicated. The patient is preferably arranged so that the securing member will enter horizontally.

I may employ the rodinserting member shown in my prior patent, 2,267,925, granted December 30, 1941.. In practice a small puncture is made and thereafter a rod 253 is inserted. After the rod is in place and its location has been determined by X-ray, if desired, the securing member is mounted so that the bore l'l thereof receives the rod and the securin member is then forced into place as by means of a mallet. When the securing member has been moved to the position desired the rod 29 is removed and the key 21 is arranged so that the bead 25 enters the bore 11. A mallet is then employed to drive the key fixes it more or less to the head so that it will not easily become dislodged or removed from the head of the bone either outwardly or inwardly.

With certain previous types of bone securing devices should absorption of the neck of the bone in the region of the fracture remove any considerable part of the bone thus causing a shortening of the neck, the friction which is always greatest at the outer end of the securing member holds that end fast, permitting the other end to be pushed on through the head into the pelvis. Accidents of this nature have frequently occurred and it is one of the objects of my invention to overcome this dificulty.

My improved construction prevents the securing member from falling out which has happened in some instances with the old type securing members. With my construction if the securing member becomes loosened at any time it will remain anchored in the head f the bone.

From the foregoing description it will be ap parent that I have invented a novel securing member which can be economically manufactured and which is highly efiicient for itsintended purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A fracture securing device comprising an elongated body having a bore and having a rib extending from the body, said body having a slot therein communicating with the bore, and a key extending from the body, said body having a slot i) therein communicating with the bore, and a key member having a bead slidably fitting said bore, said key including a blade extending outwardly therefrom and projecting through said slot, and means on said body for bending said key.

3. A fracture securing device comprising an elongated body having a bore and having sharpened ribs extending from the body, said bodyhaving a slot therein communicating with the bore, said body having a. short rib portion at the forward end, and a key member having a beadslidably fitting said bore, said key including a blade extending outwardly therefrom and projecting through said slot, said key having a tongue at the front end, said slot having a laterally directed portion engageable by the tongue when the latter is moved forwardly and being adapted to bend the tongue outwardly.

l. A fracture securing device comprising an elongated body, having a bore and having a sharpened rib extending from the body, said body having a slot therein communicating with the bore, said body having a bevelled portion atthe forward end of said slot, and a key member having a bead slidably fitting said bore, said key includ- 7 ing a bladeextending outwardly therefrom and projecting through said slot, said key having a portion at the front end 'engag-eable with said bevelled portion.

5. A fracture securing device comprising an elongated body having a central bore and having diverging sharpened ribs extending from the body, said body having a slot therein communicating with the bore, said body having short radial rib portion at the forward the fOl ward end of said slot extending laterally, and a key member having a bead slidably fitting said. bore, said key including a blade integral with the bead and extending outwardly therefrom and projecting through said slot, said key having a sharpened front end, the forward end of said slot being engageable by the key when the latter is moved forwardly and being adapted to bend the front end of the key outwardly.

.6. A fracture securing device comprising an elongated body having a central bore and having diverging sharpened ribs extending radially from the body, said body having a radial slot therein communicating with the boresaid slot having a bevelled portion at the forward end, and a key member having a cylindrical bead slidably fitting bore, said key including a blade integral with the bead and extending outwardly therefrom and projecting through said slot, said key having. a sharpened front end and having a hole at the rear end thereof, said bevelled slot end being en- .gageable by the key when the latter is moved forwardly .ancl being adapted to bend the front end oi the key outwardly.

7. For use in a fracture securing device, a key member having acylindrical bead, said key including a blade integral with the bead and extending outwardly therefrom, said key having a shaipened tongue at the front end, said tongue including a forwardly projecting portion free from said head.

8. For use .in a fracture securing device, an elongated body having a central bore and having diverging sharpened ribs extending radially from the body, said body having a radial slot therein communicating with the bore, said slot having a bevelled portion at the forward end thereof.

9. The method of securing a fracture, comprising aligning the fractured portionsof a bone, advancing a rod through the fractured portions of the bone, arranging a slotted ribbed member having a bore on the rod and moving the ribbed member along the rod and into the bone portions which are to be secured, thereafter removing the rod and inserting a key in the bore and slot, the key including a portion extending outwardly lire-ugh the slot, and moving the key forwardly and simultaneously deflecting the forward end of the key to cause it to form a lock to prevent axial movement of the member.

HERBERT A. J GHNSTON 

